Category: Goal Updates

At the start of September I wrote out a list of things I wanted to achieve. Not only was it the start of a new month but it was also the start of a new season. I felt like I was ready to take on the world but sadly, my body did not agree. Whilst I felt physically fine to start with, I forgot that my body was still in recovery mode from surgery so I think I went a little too hard too soon.

Here’s a more detailed account of what went wrong.

To exercise daily
I did really well until day 12. I was doing the 30 day challenge on the 7 minute app but 2 things stopped me from completing it – 1) the app was getting boring. The first few days there were a variety of exercises and you didn’t need to repeat most things 30 times. As I completed the days, I noticed that the app got, well lazy, it got to the point where it was 45 lunges on each leg, 50 squats, 50 ab crunches etc. Whilst that’s fine, it certainly wasn’t what I expected. I did the challenge because I wanted variety, not so I could spend 20 minutes repeating 4 exercises over and over again. 2) I got sick. Really sick. To the point where I had to take a week off work. I came to work for a week, then took a week off. It wasn’t the flu but I felt fatigued and yuck. Again, my body was still recovering from surgery so during that week I barely did any exercise other than stretch as it was all I could manage.

To do yoga 3 time a week
Other than that week off work, I managed this. Some of the time it was a quick 15 minute routine, other times it was the 50 minute one that I do regularly.

To ensure the kitchen is tidy every night
This worked quite well, the exception being when I was sick but that didn’t matter too much because I wasn’t in the rush the following morning so it didn’t bother me. But it did work really well. I even got into the habit of making most of my lunch the night before as well.

To say no more
And I did this. Very easily. I barely went to the in-laws for mandatory family dinner (don’t even get me started), I didn’t go out if I didn’t want to. I didn’t feel guilted into staying longer than I wanted if I was out. It was nice. It was nice to remember that I’m an adult and that I can make choices without offering explanations or having to justify them.

To make the ‘junk’ food that I crave rather than buying it
There were a couple of times I went out and bought things instead of making them but to be fair, that was after I broke our oven and cook top. I’ve been without one for a couple of weeks now and the new one comes on Wednesday. I’ll be able to start making things again.

To honour my hunger
Again, I did this quite well for the most part but it’s always going to be a work in progress. It’s hard to change a habit that’s been with you for the entire life you remember but I figure as long as I’m doing it more often than not, then I’m winning.

To organise my wardrobe
I did this. I even wrote a post about it here.

To read more
I read about 4 books in the month of September so I’m pretty happy with that.

To practice Spanish 10 minutes a day
Again, I did really well until I went back to work after I got sick. I just was so tired after work that I couldn’t even be bothered spending 10 minutes a day practising. But I’ll start getting into the habit again now.

I’m going to keep the same goals for October. I don’t want to add to it because these are still all a work in progress. I want to make sure that I have a handle on them before adding more.

So I’m a bit late (and have been really, really slack) but part one of renovations are finally complete! I’m so happy that I can a) go home, b) sleep in my own bed and c) have my beautiful puppy back home. There’s still part two and three to complete but we’re getting there.

So here are my updates.

Health

To reduce body fat by 5% through exercise and eating well in 6 months
So my appointment with the doctor went pretty well. It’s amazing what a good doctor can do. We agreed that I’d be more careful with what I’m eating and that I’ll need to develop an exercise routine regardless of the excuses I can give. So to help with this I’ve bought myself a fitbit and it seems to be helping. I’m aiming for 7000 steps during my working days and 12000 on non-working days. Some days are good and some not so much. I did notice that when I don’t actively make an effort to walk I only do about 3000 steps a day which is pretty appalling. So now, provided that it’s not pouring with rain, I’ll walk once or twice around the block before getting into my car to go to work and if I have a really good run, I’ll do a lap around the wetlands near work. That usually gives me around 3000 steps without too much effort. I’ve also started using the 7 minute app a lot more. I’ve just started the 30 day challenge and I have Day 3 tomorrow so that seems to be helping. But again I haven’t weighed myself and I’m not entirely sure I want to.

To not smoke for 90 days
Done! But I’ve been smoking these last couple of weeks. Not a lot but that’s not the point. I wonder if forcing myself to not smoke was counter-productive.

To exercise 4 times a week for 3 months
I’ve done this for about 2 weeks now. I’m not counting walking unless I go for a decent walk.

Financial

To save $250 a month for 20 months in order to enrol into a life/health coaching course.
I’ve popped May’s $250 into a bank account. I’ve also decided that I want to do this course sooner rather than later so whilst I’m still saving for it, I’ll be withdrawing some money from my surgery fund in order to do the October course this year instead of next year. My surgery has turned out to be much cheaper than I anticipated and I already have more than enough for it.

Arrange to pay $200 a month to HECS debt by March.
The $800 is still in an account not doing much. It’s tax time so I’ll ask an accountant when I go get my tax return down what I can do about it.

Only purchase lunch one Friday a month and bring lunch from home all other work days.
I’ve bought lunch a couple of times but I’ve also not gone out for dinner/brunches nearly as often during May so I think they cancel each other out. I’m hoping once I’m back home I’ll be more prepared. It’s hard not being in your own home and having it been made very obvious that you aren’t allowed to use certain things.

Lifestyle

Declutter, throw out/donate and organise one space each month for 12 months.
Didn’t do a new space but I did go through more of my skincare/make up and throw out a whole bunch. I don’t want my new bathroom to be cluttered so I want as little as possible in there.

Personal

To be able to do a split on left and right leg by the end of 2017
I’m at a plateau with both legs. Granted I haven’t practiced splits nearly as much as I had previous months but whilst I’m not seeing any noticeable differences, I am able to work on technique and posture.

To be able to do a back and front walkover by the end of 2017
Again my legs are getting straighter and I am able to hold it for longer. My wrists do hurt a fair bit afterwards so I am a little concerned about doing a back walkover but I’ll deal with that when I get closer to that stage. My real annoyance though is that my surgery is now booked in for August and recover it about 4-6 weeks so I’m sure I’m going to go back a couple of steps but hopefully it’ll be quicker to gain them again.

I think I’m doing pretty well. Granted some goals have changed as well as circumstances making some a bit more difficult to achieve than others but I’m pretty happy with progress. I don’t feel like I’m making excuses for not meeting some of them because I still need to be realistic but I have noticed that the ones I’m really invested in are the ones that I’m meeting regardless.

Renovations are well underway now. We’re staying at my fiance’s parents place after I decided that no, I can’t use a port-a-loo all the damn time and no, I don’t want to drive somewhere to have a shower. Lets just say it’s been much easier than anticipated but it’s still frustrating living in someone else’s home that you can’t treat as such.

But moving on, here are my updates

Health

To reduce body fat by 5% through exercise and eating well in 6 months
As I said previously, my heart isn’t into this one anymore. I can’t seem to do it on my own so I made an appointment to see my doctor to help me through the nutrition and exercise stuff. I have no idea if I need a nutritionist, a dietitian, a therapist or what but I clearly need some help and accountability so I’m taking steps to do so. It feels a bit like failure that I can’t seem to do this on my own but hey, I’ve never been afraid of asking for help so I don’t know why this would be any different. I was planning to weigh myself monthly when I decided to stop weighing myself weekly but I haven’t even done that, mostly because I have no idea where my scales are but it doesn’t matter now. Whilst I need to lose weight, the idea is to be fitter and healthier.

To not smoke for 90 days
It’s been 114 days since my last cigarette so I killed this one. I still like the smell of smoke and I still get very tempted but I can do without them and I want to do without them!

To exercise 4 times a week for 3 months
April wasn’t a great month for this one. Most of my home was under tarps and there wasn’t any space to exercise. I have set up my yoga mat and weights at my fiance’s parents place so that makes it a bit easier.

Financial

To save $250 a month for 20 months in order to enrol into a life/health coaching course.
I’ve popped April’s $250 into a bank account.

Arrange to pay $200 a month to HECS debt by March.
I have $600 in an account. At the moment I can’t reach the filing cabinet where my HECS stuff is so I still haven’t actually done anything about paying it off but at least I’m putting money away for it.

Only purchase lunch one Friday a month and bring lunch from home all other work days.
I think I bought lunch a few times during April. But only once the renovations started. We moved out quite quick so for a few days I wasn’t prepared enough so I had to buy something. They’ve been little things that aren’t costly which is good.

Lifestyle

Declutter, throw out/donate and organise one space each month for 12 months.
Haven’t done a new space yet. Again I can’t really get into my house easily so this one will be on hold until renos are done.

Personal

To be able to do a split on left and right leg by the end of 2017
I noticed yesterday that my right has gotten much closer to the ground which is great. Left hasn’t moved a lot but my right leg is sitting straighter on the ground and I’m sitting up straighter also so that to me is an improvement.

To be able to do a back and front walkover by the end of 2017
I need to get a move on this one. It’s already May and I can’t even do a standing back bend. I want to be able to do that by August at the latest.

I feel that so many of my goals are reliant on having consistency and unfortunately this year I don’t have it but change happens and I just have to roll with it.

March was a busy month. We got word that our renovations would be starting in April so I spent a lot of my weekends at Reece’s and Beaumont Tiles picking out fixtures and fittings and toilets and flooring and mixers and toilet roll holders – did you know that you can buy toilet roll holders that cost $300? Yea I didn’t a few weeks ago either.

Anyway here is my update.

Health

To reduce body fat by 5% through exercise and eating well in 6 months
My heart still isn’t quite into this goal and I’ve realised that it’s because if I fail I know I have no one to blame but myself. So if I do it half-heartedly and succeed, well that’s great for me but if I fail then it’s not really a surprise. It’s something I’m working on. The benefit of this goal is even if I don’t reach it, my exercise routine is far more consistent in the last two months than it has been in years. I’ve quit the gym because I just don’t enjoy going but I’ve signed up to start playing netball so hopefully that’ll amp up my enthusiasm. I’ve also stopped weighing myself weekly. I felt I was getting back to that unhealthy mentality of everything being about a number so I may just do it once a month from now on. Don’t want to fall back into old habits.

To not smoke for 90 days
It’s been 84 days since my last cigarette so I’m 93% through. I still at times quite enjoy the smell of cigarettes but the cravings have mostly subsided.

To exercise 4 times a week for 3 months
I’m probably averaging 3 times a week at the moment. I generally do a 10 min yoga routine once a day but I’m not including that as exercising when it’s on its own. The next couple of months will be made harder as my house will be getting renovated, its raining a lot more and its getting dark and chilly quickly.

Financial

To save $250 a month for 20 months in order to enrol into a life/health coaching course.
I’ve popped March’s $250 into a bank account.

Arrange to pay $200 a month to HECS debt by March.
I still haven’t actually attempted to make a payment yet but I have $400 sitting in a bank account accruing interest waiting to be paid off.

Only purchase lunch one Friday a month and bring lunch from home all other work days.
I’ve bought lunch twice. Both times were burgers and despite being really good at the time, made me feel quite sick afterwards. I’m getting to the point where I’m actually paying attention to whether I really like something or I just think I do so I think that’ll limit buying lunches. Its interesting that all you really need to do is be organised but some days I simply can’t be bothered.

Lifestyle

Declutter, throw out/donate and organise one space each month for 12 months.
As we are starting renovations in a couple of weeks I didn’t focus on one space in March, rather I focused on what needs to be gone before the works start. I gave away an unused bass guitar and amp, a couple of paintings, a massive TV cabinet, an exercise bike and a few other bits and pieces. This also involved moving around furniture so it’s out of the way

Personal

To be able to do a split on left and right leg by the end of 2017
Left is still very close. I can’t really see a difference between last month and this month but I’m at that stage where the last couple of centimetres takes FOREVER. Right feels like it’s getting a bit closer. I haven’t even attempted straddle yet but I do notice that when I stretch with my legs apart and lean forward I’m getting closer to the ground.

To be able to do a back and front walkover by the end of 2017
I can hold a back-bend for a lot longer than previously so I think the arm strength is definitely improving. My legs and hands also feel closer together than previously so my back is obviously stretching more. I only notice this if I stretch in the afternoon – in the mornings I’m still tight so it’s harder to see a difference.

Minimalist March didn’t go exactly to plan. I got to day 17 and then stopped because I had to focus on getting rid of other big ticket items that I mentioned above. I did throw out a heap of items so that was really good and did another wardrobe clean out which was then donated to a local charity shop.

Considering February is only 28 days, it feels like its lasted a lifetime. Here is my goal update.

Health

To reduce body fat by 5% through exercise and eating well in 6 months
My body fat hasn’t dropped yet but I’m not overly surprised. My first two weeks of February were a bit blah and I wasn’t overly concerned with eating well and exercising. I’m much happier with the second half of the month but to be honest, my heart isn’t 100% committed to this goal. I mean I want to achieve it but I’m not really doing all that I can.

To not smoke for 90 days
It’s been 46 days since my last cigarette so I’m just over halfway – 51% through. I still have cravings. I very much wanted one on Saturday but I think that was because I was catching up with a friend I haven’t seen in about 6 years and we used to always smoke together when we caught up so was more habit rather than really wanting one.

To exercise 4 times a week for 3 months
I’m about 2 weeks into this goal. I have exercised at least 4 times a week so I’m pretty happy with the effort. I’m surprised because normally when I set a goal to exercise I inevitably end up sick and have to stop thus breaking the momentum but not so much this time!

Financial

To save $250 a month for 20 months in order to enrol into a life/health coaching course.
I’ve popped February’s $250 into a bank account.

Arrange to pay $200 a month to HECS debt by March.
This one is proving a bit more difficult than I anticipated. For some ridiculous reason I can’t make any sort of online payment and I have to go into a post office in order to do it. I also need a payment reference number which I’ve been unable to find – doesn’t seem to be on my MyGOV account or any of my previous HECS Statements and I just can’t bring myself to call the ATO although I may have to. So this one is still a work in progress. I have put the $200 away though so I can make that payment once I can.

Only purchase lunch one Friday a month and bring lunch from home all other work days.
Bought a bacon and egg roll last Friday. And that was it!

Lifestyle

Declutter, throw out/donate and organise one space each month for 12 months.
Did my bedside table. Was going to do my partner’s but I figure that is his space and he’ll clean it out if/when he wants.

Personal

To be able to do a split on left and right leg by the end of 2017
Left split is so close. So, so close. Right needs a bit of work and straddle is a long way off.

To be able to do a back and front walkover by the end of 2017
I’m feeling more strength in my arms when doing a back-bend so I guess I’m progressing. I went to the Gymnastics World Cup on Saturday night and I’m really keen to get the flexibility goals completed.

I was also doing Feb Fast and I didn’t complete it. I broke on Saturday the 18th at a friends 30th birthday where I had a couple of sparkling wines to celebrate. I also had one cider last night at the beach. Other than that I haven’t had anything else so whilst I didn’t complete the full 28 days I’m pretty happy with how I’ve gone. Although I’ve known it before, I’ve realised that alcohol doesn’t really add much to my experiences so I only want to do it to enjoy rather than because its the done thing to do.

I am starting a new goal today though – aptly titled ‘Minimalist March.’ I’m going to be taking part in the 30 day minimalist challenge but obviously 31 days to tie in with the March calendar. If you’re not familiar with the 30 day challenge it basically entails de-cluttering based on the day of the month. So 1st March you throw out 1 item, 2nd March you through out 2 items and so forth until you reach day 31. Anything that needs to be thrown out will be done immediately and anything that can be donated will be put into my donation pile. I’m hoping to make a weekly trip to donation centres around my area throughout the month – to be honest I’m a bit embarrassed by the amount of stuff I have in my donation pile so would prefer to drop off at various locations!

December and January, like for many people, involve a lot of indulgences. There’s usually an excess of food, and for most an excess of alcohol and for some an excess of smoking. Sadly I partake in all 3 and whilst it’s enjoyable at the time, I really do feel like shit the next day.

I’ve been thinking a lot about quitting drinking for a certain length of time. I feel like I could do it because I can go days/weeks without drinking but I’ve never actually tested myself. I’ve had a bit of practice because I’ve been getting regular blood tests since June 2016 to check my liver function and they are most accurate when you haven’t consumed any alcohol for 5 days prior.

So February is the month for me. I’ve also teamed it up with my no smoking for 90 days so I’m hoping overall I’ll feel better and more energetic.

…

It’s Day 15 and I’ve been doing pretty well. I haven’t really felt like a drink at all and it hasn’t bothered me when other people have been drinking. I did however have some friends try to force a bottle of wine down my throat but that was all in good fun.

To be honest, I think other people have much more of an issue with it than I do. They seem to think its about them rather than about you and that you’re making a passive-aggressive dig at them. But really that’s not my problem.

I haven’t really noticed a massive difference in how I feel which is disappointing. I’m sleeping as much as I usually do and the quality seems to be the same. I do think I’m substituting my evening wine with chocolate but not sure whether that’s a direct link or whether I’m doing it because there are open blocks of chocolate at home and usually there isn’t any.

All in all, I’m doing pretty well. It’s been easy for me which is not a surprise as I don’t drink a lot to start with. I also haven’t smoked so it’s been 32 days since I’ve had a cigarette and I also haven’t had any cravings for it.

January has been an interesting month. As usual, the month has passed so slowly but so quickly at the same time. I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot but at the same time I feel that I’ve done nothing of note this month.

But I wanted to check in and see how I’m going with my goals and despite saying I feel like I’ve done a lot this month, I really haven’t when it’s come to tackling the goals I’ve set for myself.

Here are my goals and a breakdown of my progress so far (here’s a hint – I’m not going great!)

Health

To reduce body fat by 5% through exercise and eating well in 6 months
Well, this one I haven’t actually started. I ordered one of those fancy scales that calculates your BMI, water mass, muscle density, body fat etc but I didn’t receive it until the day before I went on holidays. Seeing as I only got back yesterday, this goal will be delayed a month and will start today.

To not smoke for 90 days (I’ve changed this goal to 90 days instead of 3 months as it’s easier to measure)
My last cigarette was on the 14th January – well technically the 15th January as it was around 3am but I’m counting it as the 14th Jan. So far I haven’t smoked in 18 days which is 16.2% of my goal achieved!

To exercise 4 times a week for 3 months
This one isn’t going well and I feel like it has to do with the first goal not starting as soon as I wanted but today is a new day (and month) so I’ll be imploring myself to stick to this one.

Financial

To save $250 a month for 20 months in order to enrol into a life/health coaching course.
This one I will start in February. It didn’t click that my last orthodontist payment would come out of my January pay and therefore I wouldn’t have that money to put into savings.

Arrange to pay $200 a month to HECS debt by March.
Still have a month to do this one which is handy as I had no idea that everyone who works in finance on my site would be away for the majority of January.

Only purchase lunch one Friday a month and bring lunch from home all other work days.
This has not worked at all. I’ve bought lunch 3 times at work because I’d bought in salad and I wanted a burger. This one I will definitely work on.

Lifestyle

Declutter, throw out/donate and organise one space each month for 12 months.
First space done! Redid my wardrobe and have a couple of large bag full of donations. I have no idea how I keep managing to donate so much when I’m only really buying to replace things. I must be looking at my things in a new light and not attaching so much emotion to them.

Personal

To be able to do a split on left and right leg by the end of 2017
Still working on this one. My left split is closer than my right one but I’m pretty confident I’ll achieve this one by the end of the year. If I do it earlier I’ll start working on my straddle split.

To be able to do a back and front walkover by the end of 2017
Backbends are a bit funny for me as whether I can hold them really depends on how I’m feeling. I have noticed that my arms are a bit straighter and my feet and hands aren’t as far apart as they initially were.

So I’m not doing super great on my goals so far but you know what? It doesn’t really matter. The point is I have things that I’m working towards and even if a day/week/month isn’t great, it doesn’t mean giving up.